Graham Packaging Co. is planning a new 245,000-square-foot blow molding facility dedicated to containers for Sun Products Corp.'s line of fabric and dish care products made in Bowling Green, Ky.
Graham is spending $22 million on the new facility, expected to be open by early 2016, on land provided by Sun, which owns brands such as All, Snuggle, Wisk, Surf and Sunlight.
The total value of the project is $31.5 million, including private development of the new building worth $9.5 million, according to the Bowling Green Area Chamber of Commerce.
The project will include construction of the new building as well a purchase of new blow molding equipment.
“It's not the number of companies in a community that make a location a success; it is the quality of businesses that thrive there,” Mayor Bruce Wilkerson said in a statement. “Graham Packaging exemplifies a company that has garnered not only the community's respect, but the respect of industry leaders around the world. Their presence will foster new growth.”
This will be Graham Packaging's fourth Kentucky location, joining one existing site in Lexington and two locations in Florence. Those sites employ 230.
The new manufacturing site will create up to 68 jobs, the chamber said.
”Graham Packaging's decision to grow its Kentucky footprint is exciting news for the Commonwealth and for Bowling Green,” Kentucky Lt. Gov. Crit Luallen said in a statement. “This is especially true when you consider the impact the 68 full-time jobs will have on the region.”
Graham Packaging, based in York, Pa., can receive tax incentives and benefits of up to $1.5 million through the state.
Graham is the largest blow molder in North America, with $2.57 billion in relevant sales, according to Plastics News' most recent survey.